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Sion - An Ivory Coast spokesperson has said that Didier Drogba is uncertain for the World Cup due to a fracture in his right arm.
Team spokesperson Eric Kacou told The Associated Press that Drogba's fracture was confirmed by doctors after he was taken off 15 minutes into Ivory Coast's 2-0 win against Japan in a friendly.
Kacou said: "It is a fracture in his right arm. The doctor hasn't said yet whether he can play in the World Cup."
The injury threatens to rob the tournament of one of Africa's and world football's biggest stars.
Drogba scored 29 goals in 32 English Premier League matches this season to power Chelsea to the title.
The match was the final tune-up for Ivory Coast and Japan before they travel to South Africa. The Ivorians open the World Cup on June 15 against Portugal in Port Elizabeth, while Japan begins a day earlier against Cameroon in Bloemfontein.
Ivory Coast's 32-year-old striker fell after a high challenge by Japan defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka, and appeared to be holding his right side. He was then rushed to hospital.
"It's an elbow injury for sure," coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said as team officials awaited the diagnosis. "Of course I'm worried. He's our captain and one of the best players in the world."
Eriksson said the injury was unlucky, and didn't blame Tulio.
"It wasn't bad or stupid. He didn't want to hurt anyone. Football is a game of contact," the Swedish coach said.
Two minutes before the challenge, Drogba's 22m free kick was deflected by Tulio into his own net.
Defender Kolo Toure scored from close range in the 81st, meeting a free kick with a crisp shot.
Team spokesperson Eric Kacou told The Associated Press that Drogba's fracture was confirmed by doctors after he was taken off 15 minutes into Ivory Coast's 2-0 win against Japan in a friendly.
Kacou said: "It is a fracture in his right arm. The doctor hasn't said yet whether he can play in the World Cup."
The injury threatens to rob the tournament of one of Africa's and world football's biggest stars.
Drogba scored 29 goals in 32 English Premier League matches this season to power Chelsea to the title.
The match was the final tune-up for Ivory Coast and Japan before they travel to South Africa. The Ivorians open the World Cup on June 15 against Portugal in Port Elizabeth, while Japan begins a day earlier against Cameroon in Bloemfontein.
Ivory Coast's 32-year-old striker fell after a high challenge by Japan defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka, and appeared to be holding his right side. He was then rushed to hospital.
"It's an elbow injury for sure," coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said as team officials awaited the diagnosis. "Of course I'm worried. He's our captain and one of the best players in the world."
Eriksson said the injury was unlucky, and didn't blame Tulio.
"It wasn't bad or stupid. He didn't want to hurt anyone. Football is a game of contact," the Swedish coach said.
Two minutes before the challenge, Drogba's 22m free kick was deflected by Tulio into his own net.
Defender Kolo Toure scored from close range in the 81st, meeting a free kick with a crisp shot.
